56 Up

In 1964, British director Michael Apted embarked on an ambitious project for Grenada Television, creating a documentary that explored the Jesuit maxim: “Give me the child until he is seven, and I will give you the man.” Towards that end, Apted interviewed 14 7-year-olds from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to evaluate how the rigidity of the British class structure affected their lives, asking them probing questions ranging from what they wanted to do when they grew up to how they felt about love and marriage. Since then, Apted has questioned the group again every seven years and released a new film. Now the interviewees are 56, coping with the global financial crisis. At an early age, both Andrew and John had their trajectories charted—attending prestigious universities (Cambridge and Oxford) and becoming lawyers, while their classmate Charles became a documentary filmmaker. Cockney Tony wanted to be a jockey but now drives a London cab. Once homeless, Neil is involved in Cumbrian politics, while Jackie is a twice-divorced single mother, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Sue, who never attended college, administers a university program, while librarian Lynn has been forced into retirement. And Peter, who quit the series after 21 Up, returns to plug his band. It's uncanny how Apted's insightful concept would become a precursor of reality television. It's also enlightening to hear how the ambivalent, yet loyal participants evaluate living their lives on-camera, although there is some complaint about Apted's editing choices, arguing that his primary mission has been to create compelling viewing, rather than present an accurate representation of who they are. Another fine entry in a landmark series, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (S. Granger)